SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON is understood to be more determined than ever now to see out his contract with the Football Association until 2008 after the realisation that the England team's failure at Euro 2004, and mounting criticism, means that his stock among Europe's elite clubs has fallen dramatically.

JOSE MOURINHO reacted with contempt last night to the Premier League's decision earlier in the day to launch an inquiry into the controversy over Chelsea's alleged illegal approach to Ashley Cole. If found guilty, the Stamford Bridge club could even be docked points.

Embarrassment all round is clouding the issue of Chelsea's alleged illegal approach for the Arsenal and England left-back Ashley Cole, and may lead to the matter being dropped with a private word of warning to the west London club about future recruiting activities.